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It is common in conservative Christian circles to say that the State is "a divine institution." Although at other times this tune is changed, when we hear its refrain we are rightly led to separate from those who advocate violent rebellion and change, overthrowing the State through force (Proverbs 24:21).
But the main message of the theologians is less than Biblical. It sings the praises of politics and lauds the State as an institution as basic as the Family. Romans 13 is the mainstay of this patriotic song, carrying more weight in five verses than all of the Law of God and the application thereof by the Prophets. Hodge asserts that "The whole theory of civil government and the duty of citizens to their rulers, are comprehensively stated by the Apostle in Romans xiii.1-5." Gifford declares that discussions of the State are rarely noticed in other of Paul's epistles, but he treats it "so fully and emphatically in writing to the Romans." Neither of these men can be called "Theonomists," that is, advocates of the detailed and comprehensive application of "God's Law," as found in the New and Old Testaments. The Old Testament prophets, who deal with Babylon, Assyria and other monstrous empires, critique them "fully and emphatically" according to Biblical Law, yet these commentators ignore their message, seemingly satisfied with Romans 13 alone.
Interestingly (but not significantly), two other "chapter 13's" -- Revelation 13 and Isaiah 13 -- tell us a great deal about the State. These chapters, and others like them, are conveniently ignored by the Chaplains of the State.
We must not make the same mistake.
The State has long profited from theologians who ignore the concrete teachings of Scripture concerning the State, and concerning economics, law, and power in general.
To say that Romans 13 is the be-all, end-all passage on the State is at best naive, and in any case, largely unScriptural in its effect on Chrisians.
Let us look at these other "13's."
New Testament scholar F.F. Bruce has made an astute observation in his comments on Romans 13. He asks, "What if Caesar claims not only the things that are his, but the things that are God's?" Certainly this happens. Caesar can go so far
as to claim divine honours for himself and wage war against the saints. Can we recognize Paul's magistrate, "the minister of God," . . . in John's "beast from the abyss," who receives his authority from the great red dragon and uses it to enforce universal worship of himself and to exterminate those who withhold worship from him? We can indeed. . . .
It was certainly not in the best interests of the Roman Empire (at least as they perceived their "best" interests) for Christians to believe that the State, who regulates all commerce and industry and prides itself on a growing GNP (13:16-17; ch. 18), is in fact "a beast" with "the names of blasphemy upon his heads" (13:1), and identifiable by the number 666 (13:18). Compromising statist theologians undoubtedly pooh-poohed the notion that the State "recieved his power, and his seat and his great authority" from "the dragon," (13:2) who is in fact "that old serpent called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world" (12:9). These theologians would have the church believe that the State receives its militaristic, imperialistic mandate direct from God and His Word.
Of course, Job would be the first to admit that Satan receives authority from God (Job 1:12). But to say that Satan gets his power from God (ultimately, or permissively) is quite a different thing from saying that Satan is a "Divine Institution," with a Divine Charter from God.
Similarly, to say that God uses Satan's statist devices against Satan and for Christ's Kingdom does not imply that Satan's statist devices are in accord with God's precepts. God uses evil men to accomplish good ends in spite of their evil intentions.
In another paper ("Stars and Idolatry") we have examined the connection between Satan, his demonic henchmen, and the State. What we saw in that paper is seen in Revelation 13. The dragon (who is Satan (12:9)), having taken a third part of the stars ("stars" here meaning, as it does many times in Scripture, angels), then proceeds to inspire emperors and dictators to exercise lordship over others and garner their patriotic and enthusiastic devotion (Revelation 13:4; cf. Luke 22:25ff.).
When one traces the origin of the State and its conflict with God's central institution, the Family, it becomes plain that the State has a close connection with demonic powers, who incite rebellion against true authority in the Family.
The relationship between the Roman Empire and Satan is plain enough in Revelation 13: "The dragon gave the beast his power, and his seat, and great authority" (13:2). All the while God is predestinatingly and knowingly watching; watching as Satan arms Caesar to "make war with the saints" (13:7).
The picture here corresponds to that of the gospel writers who record Satan as controlling the political movements of the world (Luke 4:5-6).
"If any man have an ear, let him hear" (13:9).
Why does God allow Satan to arm Caesar? Are we jumping to conclusions in saying that there is a relationship between the State and the stars (angels) that Satan took with him in his rebellion? Isaiah 13 answers some of the "whys" we have when we finish reading Revelation 13. Isaiah 13 tells us how the demonic State unwittingly accomplishes God's purposes.
Isaiah begins a sermon against Babylon in chapter 13 which continues through chapter 14. Babylon is going to be judged for her lawlessness, her violations of Biblical Law. Her judgment will come at the hands of the Medes.
We see God's sovereignty in verses 3ff.
The soldiers of the Meden army are His "sanctified ones." The Lord
"commands" them. (v. 3)
He calls His "mighty ones." (v. 3)
He musters the armies together. (v. 4)
The armies of the nations
come from the Lord
to destroy the earth. (v. 5)
(Not the whole earth, just the land that pertains to Babylon.)
The destroying armies are "the weapons of His indignation" (v. 5).
This is the day of the Lord's "wrath and fierce anger" (vv. 6-9).
The coming destruction is a terror for these evil doers (v. 11).
God is sending a sword to cut them down (v. 15).
It isn't necessary for you or for me to take vengeance on Babylon; God will see to it; He and His "sanctified ones."
In verses 10 and 13, the effects of this destroying army are spoken of in terms of the stars, which we have seen are a way of speaking of angels or demonic forces associated with the State (see "Angels and God's Throne of Government" as well as "Stars and Idolatry"). Isaiah says Babylon's heavenly patrons are going to be shaken (v. 13: not all the heavens, just the heavens that pertain to Babylon).
J. Marcellus Kik, in his exposition of Matthew 24, has shown that this cosmic language is not to be interpreted naturally, or astronomically, as though the suns from other galaxies are going to be physically disturbed in the fall of Babylon, Idumea (Isaiah 34:4-5), Egypt (Ezekiel 32:7,8), or Israel (Matthew 24:29-31). Other writers have provided insight into the nature of these "principalities and powers." (See our paper of the same name.)
So confused have some commentators been over Isaiah's link between the State and demonic forces that they have attributed Isaiah's prophecies against the State of Babylon to Satan himself! (14:12-14) But it is an understandable case of mistaken identity!
So why does God allow Satan and his henchmen to incite the State to war and oppression? Why does God command His "sanctified ones" to destroy another nation?
The answer is clear: Babylon has succumbed to Satan's temptation to be as gods (Genesis 3:5; Isaiah 14:13). They knew they risked God's judgment when they made their decision (Romans 1:18-32).
God's judgment is fierce upon a lawless nation, such as Babylon, and He deals with Babylon in a covenantal way. Not just the king, but his citizens are affected. Not just the fathers, but their wives feel God's wrath. Not just the parents, but their (covenant!) children (all men are members of a covenant; all are either covenant breakers or covenant keepers; the issue is always Theonomy or autonomy). Thus verses 16 and 18 give graphic and upsetting detail of God's judgment on Babylon. The Medes are going to dash the children to pieces right before their mothers' eyes. This may be before, it may be after, they rape the mothers. Young men, who might be potential soldiers (even now 12- and 13-year olds are not uncommonly seen in Israeli uniforms or as members of Latin American "Liberation Fronts"), will likewise be dismembered and killed. These gruesome atrocities were "common to ancient warfare" (says one commentator. Friend, these gruesome atrocities are common today; evolution is a myth. Rushdoony has mentioned that Assyria, for example, left the skulls of the massacred children (and others) in a large pile outside the gates of the vanquished city. This in an effort to strike sheer terror and submission in the hearts of enemies. (In the hearts of those enemies who were thus affected and thereafter rallied behind the flag of the Assyrians, such terror is called "patriotism.") These tactics, far from being limited to ancient warfare, are basic to the State itself. Mountains of skulls can be found in modern-day Cambodia, in the wake of Pol Pot. Perhaps the Cambodians learned such techniques from U.S. soldiers, who slaughtered innocents, when whole villages were "destroyed in order that they might be saved." Terrorism is common in the plans of emerging states in the "third world.")
You see, when it comes to the demon-empowered army of the State, war really is hell!
Satan's kingdom cannot stand; it wars against itself. Satan provokes men to pride, covetousness, competition, and ultimately war (James 4:1-5; Revelation 13:7). An association of covetous men, called the "State," unwittingly carries out God's judgments upon another State, by destroying it in fearful war. The "victorious" State is then face-to-face with God's judgment for their destructive ways, and will soon be judged by yet another State, equally covetous, equally proud, and so it goes, until Christ shall have put down all these "archists" (I Corinthians 15:24-25) by giving them up to self-destruction, when they can be replaced by Spirit-empowered Christian self- government.
We can summarize Isaiah's doctrine of the State by looking at Isaiah 10. This is a prophecy against Israel. God is going to use Assyria in the same way He used the Medes against Babylon.
Verse 5 says the Assyrian army is the rod of the Lord's anger. Their weapons are the Lord's indignation.
Ultimately it is God Who is sending these unGodly barbarians. Their purpose is the judgment of a hypocritical nation, those who have incurred God's wrath. God gives the army "a command" (v. 6a) to steal, confiscate wealth and property, and in general to do the things the Assyrian army does best: to rape and pillage Israelites, treating them like sewage in the street (v. 6b).
God says -- to Israel -- "I give him a command to spoil." Israel deserves this destruction, for in spite of a prophetic warning, they continue emulating the ways of the statists around them. But Assyria is only serving God's purposes unwittingly. If you asked Assyria if they were God's servant they would chuckle at your mirth and silliness. (Ah, ya just can't stop a giggling Assyrian, once he gets going.) The Assyrian "does not so intend" (v. 7). The Assyrian is just a big "party animal;" with a couple of six packs under his belt he just isn't satisfied with a bag of loot and a couple of cunts (cf. Judges 5:30). He goes for the gusto (cf. Isaiah 13:16-18).
This hideous State-sanctioned violence is obviously not sanctioned by God in His Law. It is the antithesis of Godly conduct. And so, not surprisingly, Assyria shall be judged by God for their lawless destruction.
As far as Israel is concerned, Assyria's actions were just. God commanded them in His sovereign plan to give Israel a taste of their own medicine. Israel, an adolescent nation from a conservative, middle-class background, begins to look yearningly upon the lifestyles of "the beautiful people," and upon the partying jet-setters of the nations. Like an air-headed teenager without responsible adult models, Israel twitters at the trendy violence of the tauntingly rebellious punk-baalim and heavy-Ashtaroth rockers -- without getting "too far" out of line.
God gives Israel a full dose of what these pagan Humanists really represent.
We see then that God is sovereign over the State and its brutal ugliness.
God allows Satan to raise up a State and its armies, and uses this gorilla-machine to judge other machines -- covetous, irresponsible hypocritical nations -- punishing them -- taking vengeance upon them -- in His wrath. All things, but especially the State, serve God's Kingdom purposes.
Well, not quite. Every passage should be considered in its context.
Romans 12 says we are not to handle our problems like a State. We are to follow the example Christ gave us in His earthly ministery. If somebody invades our territorial waters or pirates a shipment of our grain, we do not declare war on him. He will be judged soon enough -- by God. "'Vengeance is MINE; I will repay' saith the Lord" (12:19).
And of course the biggest violator of this rule is the State. War is basic to the State, and the State is basic to war (as Ludwig von Mises argued in his book oooooooooo ooooooooooo ooo oooo oo ooo ooooo ooooo ooo ooooo ooo).
There is thus a great spiritual conflict between Christians and the State. The State is threatened by Christians who do not buy into its power-propaganda (Acts 17:6-7). This is why Empire declares war on the saints (Rev. 13:4,7). This is why the State put Christ to death (I Corinthians 2:8).
The Bible is, from cover to cover, an anti-statist manifesto.
Some have thus concluded that we should resist the State; revolution has been characteristic of many Christian groups (see, e.g., Christopher Hill, ooooooooo & oooooooooo, and Michael Walzer, ooo oooooooooo oo ooo oooooo. The Marxists are fascinated by the Puritans, who have a high doctrine of the State (when they are in power) and an attraction to violent revolution (when they are not)). Thus Hodge, in his analysis of the Westminster Confession of Faith, asserts that
"when there appears no prospect of securing reform in the government itself, and some good prospect of securing it by revolution, then it is the privilege and duty of a Christian people to change their government -- peaceably if they may, forcibly if they must."
In another volume he adds,
"The right of resistance is in the community. It is the right of revolution, which God sanctions, and which good men in past ages have exercised to the salvation of civil and religious liberty."
Thus, conservative merchants in Colonial America, "oppressed" by taxation of perhaps well over 2%, began murdering British soldiers -- the glorious "American Revolution." The moral legitimacy of their "manifest destiny" will continue to be debated, even as the "New Christian Right," under General Falwell, maps out strategies for converting post-Revolution America into a New Geneva.
Of course, Revolution is defended not only by the theological right, but also by leftists. We saw this in such debacles as Munster, in the 1500's and it continues in Marxists in our day. We all know about "them."
But Jesus was not a revolutionary. He opposed Humanistic violence (e.g., Matthew 21:5; 26:52; etc.). Paul, aware that the Biblical teaching on the State might lead some to entertain thoughts of revolution, comes down hard against both statism and revolution in Romans 12-14.
Statism, the worship of poltical power, trusting in political strategies for social peace and prosperity, is condemned in Romans 12. The unit (chapters 12-14) begins with a call to non-conformity (12:1-2), continues with a mandate for non-competitive service and a new quality of relationships in decentralized Christian communities (12:3-18; cf. chapters 15-16). Undergirding this social ideal is obedience to God's Law above man's, and this finds manifestation in the new command to Love as Christ loved us (12:9-10; 13:8-10). The dawning of this anti-statist Day is at hand (13:11-12). Growth by coercion to acheive revolutionary change is inappropriate for this Christian lifestyle (14:1-21). Finance by force is contrary to this vision (15:26ff.). In chapters 15-16 the vision is seen to be materializing; it is not "idealistic" or "pie-in-the-sky."
Any interpretation of Romans 13:1-7 which would make it the expression of a static or conservative undergirding of the present social system (Rome) would therefore represent a refusal to take seriously the context.
There is an obvious interplay around the concepts of vengeance and wrath. Christians are to leave wrath to God (12:19). And who is it that is unwittingly used by God to accomplish divine vengeance? You-know-who (13:4). It is inconceivable that these two verses, using such similar language, should be meant to be read independently of one another. This makes it clear that the function exercised by the State is not the function to be exercised by Christians.
Revolution But as evil as the State is, in its refusal to abide by Christian principles, violent revolution against the State is also counter to the example of Christ. Christ did not rebel against the ultimate statist evil of all time: His own crucifixion. Christian martyrs have followed this example. The whole point of 13:1-7, in the context of the Jewish Christians in Rome, is to take out of their minds any concept of revolution or political force to change corrupt pagan government. Decentralized Christian Government is the ultimate Spiritual weapon against the State.
Hodge, like many in the Reformation tradition, speaks very highly of the State as a divine institution, an organization explicitly and approvingly chartered by God. He uses Romans 13 as his chief (only?) argument. And yet he also plays fast and loose with the obvious thrust of the command in Romans 13: submit to the State. Hodge says we have a right to revolution in order to change "our government." Paul says we submit to it, even as he says elsewhere that the State is not "our government"; our political franchise is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). Therefore, we trust not in strategies of political revolution, but in the extension of the Kingdom of Heaven through the wide-spread application of Biblical Law in the lives of individuals, Families, and voluntary associations in every nation. (Should Christians in the Soviet Union consider the Communist Party "our government"? I wouldn't. And I consider the American Socialists only marginally more Godly than the Soviet Socialists. I would not, therefore, attempt to "reform" the Soviets by armed resistance.) Who does God really want to order the lives of the people of a society: The Spirit through Christian service, or Babylonian bureaucrats?
In another paper we have examined the hypocrisy of those Protestant commentators who encourage statist dependence and centralization by patriotically appealing to Romans 13, and then turn around and advocate forcible revolution when the State is not on their side.
But to warn against revolutionary opposition to the State is not to say that we fundamentally support the State. If we keep the other "13's" in mind, we will have no trouble in understanding Romans 13; we will not find a carte blanche for State power, nor a grant of revolutionary activity.
What follows is a very abbreviated study of Romans 13:1-5. The traditional view of the State and of Romans 13 is so entrenched in the minds of most Christians that it will take many months of study in the other "13's" of Scripture to overcome this tradition. All we can hope to show here is that our view of the State is not inconsistent with Romans 13.
It must be remembered that this is not a dispassionate and objective look at Romans 13. It is an argument for a particular view of the State. So as we go through Romans 13 keep the question in mind: is this passage consistent with the interpretation we have been given in Isaiah 13 and Revelation 13, that the State is essentially demonic? Or does Romans 13 teach that the State is prescribed by God as a laudable, exemplary, and (possibly) Christian institution? Can a Christian, having read Isaiah 13, Revelation 13 and Romans 12 then conclude that he would like to grow up to be a part of the State?
"The powers that be are ordered by God."
Isaiah tells us that the State is animated by demonic powers. We are also told that God is sovereign over the powers and orders them according to His purposes. Romans 13:1 confirms this. The powers are "ordered by God." "Ordained" has the connotation of "enthusiastically appointed." "Ordered" is a bit more neutral, consistent with other passages, and avoids the problem of having this one verse indicate "enthusiastic appointment," when everywhere else in the Bible God is less than enthusiastic over the State. God "ordained" Saul to be king, but it wasn't enthusiastically (I Samuel 8). Many Bibles accurately have "ordered" in the margin.
Satan could do nothing unless God has allowed it. The State can do nothing that God has not predestined for His own sovereign purposes. The State would like to delude itself into thinking that it has autonomous power: Pilate said to Jesus, "Knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?" Jesus did not disagree; Pilate did have that power. But He added, "Thou couldst have no power at all against Me, except it were given thee from above." Does this mean that Pilate's exercise of his power to crucify the Lord of Glory had God's divine sanction and approval? Of course not; God's predestinating decree is not the same as His prescriptive decree (in His Law).
Does this square with Revelation and Isaiah 13? It certainly does. Most Christians who can quote Romans 13 cannot also quote any or all of the other occurences of the word "powers" in Paul's writings. Simply look up each of these verses and you will have an idea of what Paul is saying when he speaks of "the powers." I Corinthians 15:24; Ephesians 1:21; 3:10; 6:12; Colossians 1:16; 2:10,15 (cf. also Luke 12:11; I Peter 3:22). Titus 3:1 is similar in thought to Romans 13. We analyzed the "principalities and powers" more extensively in another paper. To be on their side hardly seems a desirable goal.
In what sense, then, can it be said that we should be "subject" to them? Render them absolute obedience and support? No. No more than God's "ordering" of the powers indicates absolute approval and approbation. Christ is said to have (in principle) spoiled the powers that be, and will (in fact) put them down before His second coming. And it is precisely by being "subject" to them -- not revolting against them -- that their judgment is made certain. Our judgment of the powers is not to be "blasphemous" or vengeful, but is to be rooted in obedient faith. God will judge the State through His Spirit. Other verses support this view:
Notice how Peter and Jude warn us not to "blaspheme" Satan (Jude 8-9; 2 Peter 2:10-12, where "railing accusation," etc. is the Greek word "blasphemy." Notice also the reference to cosmic warfare (see also Daniel 10 for explicit reference to the State). Jude 9 literally speaks of a "blasphemous judgment" (cf. 2 Peter 11). We are not to take judgment into our own hands; it is God who is to shake the heavens (Isaiah 13:10,13), not us; our judgment is to be in obedience, by allowing the Spirit to empower us to live independent of the State and its welfare/warfare machinery (John 16:11). Isaiah speaks of a cosmic "crisis," and Jude and John use the Greek word "krisis" to describe the act of judgment. Our judgment is not be violent vengeance.
Do not revolt against the State and the powers behind it. They are stronger than your autonomous efforts. Revolution is taking vengeance on the State (Romans 12:19). God is in control; He orders the State and judges the kingdoms of the world through their mutual self-destruction. "All" you have to do is resist the State and its ministers of propaganda as they tempt you to abondon the pursuit of holiness.
Revolutionaries deny God's sovereignty. They assert that their land does not deserve God's judgment. God has "ordained" a Babylon or an Assyria or a Soviet Union to judge us for our sins (2 Chronicles 24:24), our incompetence, our covetousness, our indebtedness (Deuteronomy 28:44), and our love of State benefits (Luke 22:25), but the revolutionary manifesto says we can take vengeance against the State; that we can eliminate God's judgment without eliminating our sin. Paul says "whoever resists the power" (lit., is against ("anti-") God's "order" (v.1)) "resists God's disposition; and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation." By focusing on the consequences of sin, rather than the sin itself, revolutionaries damn their nation as well. We do not eliminate bureaucrats by taking vengeance or by resisting (Matthew 5:39). We eliminate bureaucrats by Love, in the full theonomic sense of that word (Romans 13:8-10), applied to our relationships with the uneducated, the sick, the delinquent, and the aged (Matthew 25:35-36ff.).
But doesn't the Bible say we're supposed to "resist" the Devil? Yes, but by positive, faithful obedience, not by negative, vengeful, revolutionary violence (I Peter 5:9). We don't push Satan away; we stand with God and Satan runs (James 4:7). We don't blaspheme the demons, we stand in the Word and resist by faithfulness to God's Law-Word (Ephesians 6:12-13). Satan cannot resist the Word prophesied and applied (Luke 21:15). Romans 13 does not contradict Romans 12. Or, put another way, once you have finished feeding all the poor and strengthening all the weak, then -- if you still feel the need -- you can take time out to go kill some Redcoats (but at least read Romans 12 first).
Put God's Law into practice and you eliminate the threat of Soviet Socialist expansion. If Nicaraguans would put God's Law into practice they would eliminate the threat of American Imperialist expansion. Israel never learned: practice evil and create terror (Assyria). The message in Romans 12-16 is clear: Decentralize; depend upon Providence, not politics; defend the powerless; support the weak; "Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate." Advance the interests of your struggling neighbor, not yourself; then you shall have praise from the withering State (2 Chronicles 12:7; Isaiah 60:10; Isaiah 49:23).
But if you jump on the political bandwagon, seeking security from the State, justice from revenge, and peace from violence, then you may expect what Israel, Babylon, Assyria, and all other statist populations receive: The sword (2 Chronicles 36). God will send His "minister" (Romans 13:4), His "sanctified ones" (Isaiah 13:3), the army of the Beast from out of the earth (Revelation 13:11) against you and your society. God's wrath, anger, and indignation rest on a nation that refuses to trust Him and obey His Law. When God takes vengeance upon such a nation, He often uses famine, pestilence, tornadoes, etc., as his "ministers." At other times, depending on how appropriate it is to the society to be judged, He uses the war-monger State. After the State has done its work, judgment then falls on the destroying State (Revelation 13:10; Ezekiel 25:15).
It is certainly no honor for the Medes to be called His "sanctified ones" or His "minsters"; they were subsequently judged for obeying God's "command." God calls them his deacons because they serve His purposes. When God says to Babylon, "I am sending my ministers," he does not mean to comfort the Babylonians with the promise of the presence of his divine ambassadors, the army of the Medes. This is a threat of judgment! This is the way it is in Romans 13. God is saying, NO! Don't revolt against the State! I have it there for a purpose, and if you want it to disappear, then obey My Word! In Isaiah 13 the message is threatening. In Romans 13 the message is a warning: don't take vengeance on the State, or the State will take vengeance on you!
This is a statement of universal fact. God's predestinating plan covers all contingencies. Nothing escapes His Will. As you have always understood Romans 13, does the State at times bear God's sword in vain? Then you may not understand the Biblical doctrine of the State. Paul says "he beareth not the sword in vain," period. This is a description, not a prescription.
Hitler did not bear the sword in vain. Not every German joined the SS, but the majority were in favor of them. Not of their excesses, of course, but they tolerated the excesses because the National Socialist Party promised -- not a return to Biblical Law -- but economic prosperity, health, welfare -- in short, everything that the Biblical word for "salvation" describes. Hitler promised "law and order," he opposed smoking, drinking, foreign imports, and all the great "evils" of the day. Hitler was swept into power on the crest of a wave of conservative support. And among his biggest supporters were the Protestant clergy. Hitler did not bear the sword in vain.
And the Lord is not finished with the "minsters" that he has been raising up since Hitler's day. The Soviet-American coalition that divided up post-war Germany (and much of the rest of the world) are being positioned by God to serve His plans of judgment. The world powers are serving and will serve God's purposes. As you read this paper, is God "mustering an army" (Isaiah 13:3-4) to be used against your nation? Remember, not every single person has to be Godless before the Godly will feel the effects of judgment upon the lawless; God deals covenantally. Besides, are you going to claim that you have nothing to fear from the Lord's "sanctified ones"? Is your home a "L'abri" (shelter) for the poor and powerless, or a showplace for the entertainment of the powerful?
The Soviet Union does not bear the Bomb in vain.
As Christians we are not to react to the State, simply fearing its coercion. This is its function for the unsaved (Galatians 3:19-4:9). Its very nature and existence should be viewed in faith. We live and overcome by our faith in Christ, following His example of non-resistance; we do not overcome by our own vengeance. So for conscience' sake we do not resist the evils of the State (I Peter 2:19).
And as long as unbelief exerts an influence, demanding earthly gods and a military State, we will be subject to tribute (Proverbs 21:24). Not that the State has any lawful right to redistribute wealth, especially over those who are not even its subjects (Matthew 17:24ff.; Philippians 3:20). But until the Gospel has taken root and the New Day has dawned (Romans 13:11-12), the State will be dedicated to lining its coffers, ever continuing to exact tribute, ever fueling its war-fires, and readying itself to take vengence upon its enemies.
In another paper we have tried to answer the commonest questions about this interpretation of Romans 13 and this view of the State. Through the miracle of high-tech word processing, this paper is updated frequently. Your questions might be included and answered in the next edition. Please write us with your comments and questions.
You see, when it comes to the demon-empowered army of the State, war really is hell!
Satan's kingdom cannot stand; it wars against itself. Satan provokes men to pride, covetousness, competition, and ultimately war (James 4:1-5; Revelation 13:7). An associations of covetous men, called the "State," unwittingly carries out God's judgments upon another State, by destroying it in fearful war. The "victorious" State is then face-to-face with God's judgment for their destructive ways, and will soon be judged by yet another State, equally covetous, equally proud, and so it goes, until Christ shall have put down all these "archists" (I Corinthians 15:24-25) by giving them up to self-destruction, when they can be replaced by Spirit-empowered Christian self- government.
We can summarize Isaiah's doctrine of the State by looking at Isaiah 10. This is a prophecy against Israel. God is going to use Assyria in the same way He used the Medes against Babylon.
Verse 5 says the Assyrian army is the rod of the Lord's anger. Their weapons are the Lord's indignation.
Ultimately it is God Who is sending these unGodly barbarians. Their purpose is the judgment of a hypocritical nation, those who have incurred God's wrath. God gives the army "a command" (v. 6a) to steal, confiscate wealth and property, and in general to do the things the Assyrian army does best: to rape and pillage Israelites, treating them like sewage in the street (v. 6b).
Verse 6 is overlooked by most Christians, whose failure to separate from worldly influences has desensitized them to the violence of this verse. God says -- to Israel -- "I give him a command to spoil." Israel deserves this destruction, for in spite of a prophetic warning, they continue emulating the ways of the statists around them.
Israel, an adolescent nation from a conservative, middle-class background, looks enviously upon the lifestyles of "the beautiful people," the partying jet-setters of the nations. Like an air-headed teenager without responsible adult models, Israel twitters at the fashionable violence of the tauntingly rebellious punk-baalim and heavy-Ashtaroth rockers -- just a little worldliness without getting "too far" out of line.
God gives Israel a full dose of what these pagan Humanists really represent.
Assyria is only serving God's purposes unwittingly. Assyria is not doing what they do because they know God wants them to. The Assyrian "does not so intend" (v. 7). The Assyrian is just a big "party animal;" with a couple of six packs under his belt he just isn't satisfied with a bag of loot and a couple of cunts (cf. Judges 5:30). He goes for the gusto (cf. Isaiah 13:16-18). Are you titilated or amused at that language? Then imagine it happening to your wife and daughter. Israel also winked at such prophetic imagery.
This hideous State-sanctioned violence is obviously not sanctioned by God in His Law. It is the antithesis of Godly conduct. And so, not surprisingly, Assyria shall be judged by God for their lawless destruction.
We see then that God is sovereign over the State and its brutal ugliness. God allows Satan to raise up a State and its armies, and uses this gorilla-machine to judge other machines -- covetous, irresponsible hypocritical nations -- punishing them -- taking vengeance upon them -- in His wrath. All things, but especially the State, serve God's Kingdom purposes.
Christian "Anarchism" is Our Goal
All Evil is Predestined by God
Pray for a Servant's Understanding
Angels and God's Throne of Government
Why the State Always Encourages Immorality
Unlucky 13 -- Romans 13, Revelation 13 and Isaiah 13
A Roman's-Eye View of Romans 13
Lakes of Fire in "Smoke-Filled Rooms"
Romans 13: The Burden is on the Archists
Taxation, Representation, and the Myth of the State
Why the State is not a "Divine Institution"
Here is what a Christian Anarchist looks like
after he has joined The Christmas Conspiracy.
The Christmas Conspiracy |
Virtue
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Vine & Fig Tree |
Paradigm Shift |
Theocracy |
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